Florida scrub-jay delays plans for hospital in Tequesta

TEQUESTA — A small bird on the U.S. endangered species list has the long-term planners of the Sandy Pines Hospital here crying foul.

An $8 million expansion project of the residential treatment facility for children and youth is running more than a year behind schedule because of a run-in with the Florida scrub-jay. Originally planned for completion next February, the 40,000 square-foot expansion is still in limbo as the facility's leaders try to hammer out an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Karin Carl, the interim CEO of Sandy Pines, has been overseeing the facility since the former CEO, John McCarthy, died in June. McCarthy announced the expansion, saying the hospital had been fully occupied for more than a year with a waiting list. Sandy Pines has a total of 88 beds and employs about 167 people. Carl says the additional 38 beds provided by the expansion will enable the facility to better meet the community's needs.

"Sandy Pines is enthusiastic about the expansion, which, when completed, will enable the hospital to offer a broader range of quality treatment services to patients and their families," Carl said.

Ken Warren, spokesman for the South Florida Ecological Services Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said his office has been trying to guide the hospital through the complicated permitting process since April.

Warren recommended the facility seek an Incidental Take Permit, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is guiding Sandy Pines through the development of a Habitat Conservation Plan, which is a prerequisite for the permit. The permit is a statement clarifying the measures the hospital will undertake to monitor, minimize and mitigate for any impacts to Florida scrub-jays, the funding available to implement them and the procedures to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

At a July 31 meeting, Warren informed hospital staff there would be a delay of up to eight months after the facility submits its completed plan, during which time the permit would be announced in the Federal Register and any public comments or concerns addressed.

Sandy Pines officials submitted a draft of their conservation plan in early September and were given revisions by wildlife officials, Warren added. Once the plan is resubmitted, Warren can begin the other formalities.

Carl said the hospital will comply with all requirements but offered no timetable on the resubmission of the plan.

"The Hospital's management is working collaboratively with all state and federal environmental agencies to ensure that expansion plans meet their guidelines and requirements," Carl said.

Built in 1990, Sandy Pines is located off County Line Road and abuts the 11,470-acre Jonathan Dickinson State Park.